Effect of fluoride slow-release glass devices on salivary and gingival crevicular fluid levels of fluoride: A pilot study

Objectives To estimate the effect of fluoride slow-release glass devices on the levels of fluoride in a pooled sample of human gingival crevicular fluid and in human saliva. Materials and Methods Ten healthy adult volunteers wore fluoride slow-release glass devices for 3 months in a longitudinal experimental clinical pilot study. Whole unstimulated human saliva and gingival crevicular fluid were collected using paper points at baseline, after 2 weeks and at 3 months and analysed for their fluoride levels using ion chromatography and fluoride electrode. Results No adverse effects were reported, and the Loe Plaque and Gingival Index remained low (0.22). The saliva determination of fluoride using the fluoride electrode showed an increase after 3 months from 0.02 +/- 0.04 ppm to 0.06 +/- 0.12 ppm, whereas the ion chromatography showed an increase from 0.15 +/- 0.10 ppm to 0.44 +/- 0.36 ppm. The fluoride levels in a pooled sample of gingival crevicular fluid from four intraoral sites were determined using the ion chromatography, and the results showed that after 3 months, the fluoride levels were still low (0.71 +/- 0.34 ppb) similar to those at baseline (0.74 +/- 0.31 ppb). Conclusions The fluoride concentration in a pooled sample of gingival crevicular fluid was reported to be low with a range from 0.46 to 0.75 ppb and was not changed by placement of fluoride slow-release glass devices. The fluoride concentration in unstimulated human saliva showed an increase after 3 months when the fluoride slow-release glass devices were attached when determined with both the fluoride electrode (from .02 +/- 0.04 ppm to 0.06 +/- 0.12 ppm) and ion chromatography (from 0.15 +/- 0.10 ppm to 0.44 +/- 0.36 ppm).